What is the condition where the walls of the heart's ventricles become thickened, reducing the heart's ability to pump blood effectively?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ventricular hypertrophy. Ventricular hypertrophy refers to the thickening of the walls of the heart's ventricles, which can reduce the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. This condition is often a response to conditions like high blood pressure or heart valve disease, leading to increased workload on the heart muscle. Atrial fibrillation (B) is an irregular heart rhythm, not directly related to ventricular thickening. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (C) involves stiffening of the heart muscle, affecting the heart's ability to fill properly. Cardiomyopathy (D) is a general term for diseases of the heart muscle, not specifically describing ventricular thickening.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Heart failure is the correct answer because it is a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively. Step 2: This ineffective pumping leads to fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary congestion) and other parts of the body (edema). Step 3: Myocardial infarction (B) is incorrect as it is an acute condition resulting from a blockage in coronary arteries causing heart muscle damage. Step 4: Pericarditis (C) is incorrect as it is inflammation of the pericardium, the outer lining of the heart, not directly related to heart pumping efficiency. Step 5: Pulmonary edema (D) is incorrect as it specifically refers to fluid accumulation in the lungs, not necessarily linked to heart failure.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Beta-blocker. Beta-blockers work by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the heart, which helps to reduce the heart rate. This reduction in heart rate helps to decrease the workload on the heart muscle, making it an effective treatment for conditions such as high blood pressure and heart failure. Incorrect choices: B: Calcium channel blocker - Calcium channel blockers work by dilating blood vessels and reducing the heart's workload by relaxing the muscles in the blood vessels, not by slowing down the heart rate. C: Diuretic - Diuretics help the body get rid of excess salt and water, reducing blood volume and lowering blood pressure, but they do not directly affect heart rate. D: ACE inhibitor - ACE inhibitors work by relaxing blood vessels to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow, but they do not specifically target heart rate reduction.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Thoracentesis is the correct procedure for removing excess fluid or air from the pleural space. It involves inserting a needle through the chest wall to drain the fluid or air, relieving pressure on the lungs. Bronchoscopy is used to visualize the airways, not remove fluid or air. Chest X-ray is a diagnostic tool for assessing the lungs but does not remove fluid or air. Arterial blood gas (ABG) is a test to assess oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, not a procedure to remove fluid or air from the pleural space.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Anticoagulant. Anticoagulants prevent blood clots by thinning the blood, reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack. They work by inhibiting clot formation. ACE inhibitors (B), Beta-blockers (C), and Calcium channel blockers (D) are not used to prevent blood clots. ACE inhibitors are used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, Beta-blockers are used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions, and Calcium channel blockers are used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart conditions.